Commode



UNITED STATES.

PATENT OEFIcE.

FRITZ MINK, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMMODE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 267,754, dated November 21, 1882, Application filed May 6, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRITZ MINK, a subject of Prussia, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Oommodes, which improvement; is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of the commode embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are sectional views of detached parts.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

My invention consists in providing a commode with a balanced lid, whereby it may be raised and lowered with ease and without abruptness.

'It also consists in adapting the lid whereby it maybe angularly adjusted.

It also consists of novel locking mechanism for the lid when open.

It also consists in constructing the parts whereby the locking mechanism may be released by the operation of a single button.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the box or casing of the commode, and B the lid, which is hinged thereto, as at a.

0 represents hinges, which are attached to the lower ends of the rear of theside arms, D, of the lid and top of the rear of the box A; and E represents springs, which bear against the arms D or butts of the hinges attached thereto, the ends of each spring opposite to its place of connection or' attachment with the arm D be ing secured to a head, E, which is fitted on a pintle, E, and formed with radial notches or slots, said pintle extending laterally from the stationary part of the hinge, and having near its free end an opening for the reception of a pin, E',which is adapted to enter either of the radial slots of the head E,it being noticed that by the rotation of the head the tension'of the spring may be increased or decreased, and thus adjusted so as to balance the lid, whereby the latter may be opened and closed with ease, avoiding abruptness of motion, slamming, and strain on the hinges. When the adjustment of the spring is accomplished, the pin E is reinserted in the opening inv the pintle E, in which position it enters the proper slots of the head E; thus locking said head and holding it in position on the pintle.

To the forward end of thebot-tom of each arm D is firmly secured a plate, F, and to a corresponding portion of the top of the box A is secured an open frame, G, to whose lower end is pivoted alever H, the top whereofhas a lug or keeper, J, the latter being adapted to move or play in the open part of the frame G and engage with the plate F when the lid is raised.

To the lever H is pivoted, as at K, a rod or arm, L, whichis firmly secured to apiece, M, the latter extending transversely and connecting the rod or arm L of each side of the box, so that by the action of a button, N, at the center of the front of the box, the locking mechanism of each side may be operated in harmony, said button being pressed outwardly by a spring, N, suitably applied.

When the lid B is raised the arms D, which are connected to it by pivot-ed bars B are also.

raised. The plates F strike the lugs or keepers J andforce the upper ends of the levers H forward or toward the front of the commode. As soon as the plates F pass the lugs or keepers, the latter, by the action of the springs N, are thrown under said plates F, thus causing an interlocking ofleversH and arms D through the medium of the lugs J and plates F, and holding the lid in an upright position, the arms of the occupant of the commode being permitted to rest on the arms D without occasioning the descent of the lid or said arms D. When the lid is to be closed the button Nis forced inwardly. This moves the lugs J clear of the plates F and unlocks the arms D, whereby the lid may be lowered and the arms folded into the body of the box A.

The armsD are each constructed of two parts or divided horizontally, as at D D, the parts sliding one on the other and held in position by a set screw, D, which passesthrough a slot in one part and enters the contiguous part. When the screws D are loosened the lid may be moved forward or backward and its inclination varied or adjusted to suit the occupant of the commode, or other purposes, after which the screws D are tightened, and the lid and arms maybe moved as one, as before stated,for opening and closing said lid.

Having thus described my invention, what IOC I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A commode-box audits hinged lid, in combination with side arms, springs operating on said lid, and adjusting devices, whereby the tension of said springs may be regulated, substantially as set forth.

2. Aoommode-boxand itshinged lid, in combination with side arms connected thereto, each 10 side arm being formed of two parts, which are adjustably connected to each other, substantially as set forth.

3. A commode-box and its lid, in combination with arms D, plates F, frames G, levers 15 H, keepers J, arms L, spring N, and suitable connections between said spring and said arms, substantially as set forth.

' 4. The commode-box and its lid, in combination with arms D, plates F, frames G, levers H, keepers J, arms L, cross-piece M, button N, 20 and spring N, substantially as set forth.

5. The commode having a lid which is hinged to the box, and also connected therewith by adjustable side arms, whereby the inclination of said lid may be varied, substantially as set 25 forth.

FRITZ MINK. Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, W. F. KIROHER. 

